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Back to our old ways in 2012

The next time President Obama addresses an audience of African Americans, I would love for him to step to the podium and say this: “C’mon, folks. Who are we kidding? You know you’re going to vote for me. You know it, and I know it. Yes, I love you. And, I’m thankful for your support, which both of us know I’m going to get again this November. So, why are we even going through this exercise, huh? Why?! Let’s stop kidding ourselves. I’ve already got your vote.”

Can you imagine if he had gone to the NAACP Convention in Houston and said that? If he had, I would publicly declare my support for him and might even join him on the campaign trail! That kind of blunt talk goes a long way with me. But, we all know that’s never going to happen. The President would be lambasted for his hubris. People would be offended that their vote was being taken for granted. But, the truth of the matter is: there is no way on God’s green Earth that black voters are going to abandon President Obama for Mitt Romney in a statistically significant way.

For a while leading up to the 2008 election, I thought it was hypocritical for blacks to vote for Obama just because he’s black. I’m from a younger generation of African Americans who’ve had opportunities to thrive in this country void of overt racism that earlier generations faced. So, on a purely cerebral level, I thought Obama should be judged by his character, accomplishments, and qualifications. But, it’s not that simple, especially for older African Americans who were dehumanized, beaten, jailed, and saw others killed in a struggle for basic rights and equality. Even if my generation didn’t go through that, we all feel a connection to and appreciation for what earlier generations endured, and we all realize what Barack Obama represents.

But, it’s also not fair to say blacks voted for Obama just because he’s black. Remember, John Kerry got 88% of the black vote in 2004. Al Gore got 90% in 2000. Bill Clinton got 83% and 84% in ’92 and ’96. Michael Dukakis got 89% in 1988. Walter Mondale got 91% in 1984. Jimmy Carter got 83% in 1976 and 1980. Blacks have been voting heavily for Democrats for president for decades. Obama got 96% of the black vote in 2008. That’s because he’s legit, he’s a Democrat, AND he’s black. For African Americans of all generations, walking into a voting booth and NOT voting for the viable, credible, capable, Democratic black man on the ballot is a tall order. Still, President Obama should be asking for the black vote, but courting black voters might not be the best use of his time. A better pursuit might be trying to increase overall voter participation.

Census data show that in the past 8 presidential elections, the average overall voter turnout rate was 63%. For the black population, the average was about 58%. Meanwhile, the average voter turnout rate among young Americans 18-24 years old the past 8 presidential elections has been around 39%. (Turnout rates are much lower in midterm elections.)

People have studied and speculated about the reasons for our country’s low voter turnout rates. One reason could be that we vote too much. With federal elections every 2 years plus with primary, city, county, and state elections sprinkled in, people might have voting fatigue. Also, low voter turnout in presidential elections might be attributed to the Electoral College. Since winner takes all electoral votes in a given state, presidential candidates know exactly which states they need to pay attention to and which ones to ignore. That doesn’t lend itself to an enthused electorate in some states. There’s also the theory of political efficacy. People just don’t think their vote has a real impact. In other words, their voices won’t matter.

When the Census Bureau asked people why they didn’t vote in 2008, the number one answer given was that they were “too busy” or had a “conflicting schedule.” Among African Americans, the number one reason was “illness or disability” kept them from getting to the polls. The number 2 answer: “don’t know or refused.” Third, “transportation problems.” And, when asked why they didn’t register to vote, African Americans were the demographic group with the highest percentage of people who answered that they “did not meet registration deadlines.”

The data might be telling us we have a fixable problem. Changing the Electoral College might be tall task, but the option should be on the table. The person who gets the most votes is the winner. There’s a novel idea! Of course, some people will always make excuses for not voting, but many others have legitimate challenges to casting their ballots. If people have a scheduling conflict that keeps them from voting, we should promote and encourage more early voting and absentee voting. Or, as some have suggested, make Election Day a national holiday, so more people would have the time off to vote. And, if people are having transportation problems, we should give our neighbors a ride, and communities should organize carpools. And, if people are missing registration deadlines, then deadlines should be extended. Yes, some of this is a matter of personal responsibility, but our elected leaders can help, and we can help each other.

President Obama will undoubtedly capture the black vote by a huge percentage again this year. Of course, the real threat and concern for the Obama campaign is that blacks and young people won’t got to the polls in greater numbers like they did in 2008. But that was likely going to be the case in 2012 no matter what. Many black voters and many young voters turned out in 2008 because they were being asked to be a part of history. In 2012, they’re simply being asked to be a part of the political process. That’s something they haven’t shown in recent history that they’re prone to do. If more people, particularly young people, participate in the process, Obama will reap the benefits. He wants to make the case for why people should vote for him. Making a case simply for why people should exercise their right to vote might help him as well.

I fear voter turnout will also be down sharply this year because of the onslaught of new voter ID laws that will make it tougher and more confusing for a lot of people to vote. If efforts to combat those new voter ID laws are unsuccessful and we continue on this path of low voter turnout, there’s one more option I might be in favor of: compulsory voting. If voting was made mandatory under the threat of fine, would that get you to the polls? I love living in a country where you’re free to exercise your right to vote, but it also means you’re free to sit at home and do nothing on election day. And, something seems so un-American about forcing someone to exercise a right that people fought for them to have.

Comments

I’m afraid that most of our younger generation have no genuine intetest in voting. Reason being……I have no idea. I believe that the voting awareness starts at home and needs to be valued. Looking at a lot of these shows and the lifestyles that we live……..ignorance is high and morals are low. We need to get back to brotherly n sisterly love and being proud of

being black. The struggle was hard for those before us n now it seems we don’t care

I have an uncle who’s in his mid 40s but refuses to even register to vote for fear that he will be called to participate in Jury duty once he’s a registered voter. I’m not certain what could even convince him to register & vote during this election. He missed the “historic 2008” election. Maybe I need to send him this article.

Perhaps, making voter registration mandatory would increase voter turnout at the polls. I agree some people might actually be discouraged by all those new voter registration rules. However, if they had to register or face a fine, more people would attempt to register. Once registered, they might as well go ahead and vote in the upcoming elections.
There could even be more voter registration help desks setup at various locations like the welfare dept., clinics, post offices etc. if voter registration became mandatory.
I’m not sure if I’d fully agree with forcing people to vote, but making it a law to at least register might increase voter turnout.

Great literary work of encouragement in demanding our continued action within the African American Community. This work has inspired me to share with our Christian Education Board as foundational in commencing conversation and action center on Black Political Action. THANK YOU

Thanks for allowing us in the conversation.
I am an African-American Librarian female from NJ. I work at a library at a predominately African American community (90%). The social economic income ranges from homeless, working middle class (majority) and comfortable retires (some not all).
When the election of 2008 came near I was giving out ten to fifteen voter registration forms from the reference desk daily. The majority of the requests came from black men. On Election Day, the line was around corner at 6:00am. But when it came to the governor’s race the following year at 6:00am nobody showed up. Black folks know what we are supposed to do we just don’t do it.
As for me, I’m not a fan. President’s Obama’s administration does not stand out to me. I am severely skeptical of the Affordable Care Act, and I am leaning toward the republicans’ side on this but for the sake of the poor I will go along with it. But he gets an ‘F’ in the economy.
I did vote for President Obama. I voted for reasons that had nothing to do with his qualifications as President. It was for sentimental reasons. I wanted to see President Obama take his place among all the white presidents ESPECIALLY the presidents that owned slaves. Whose three fifths of a person now?

Why would your rate this President so low concerning the economy? He has done an amazing Job turning this country around. Did you forget that this country was on the brink of complete failure as a result of the previous administrations reckless behaviors. If President Obama had not stop the financial crisis. We all would be suffering in this moment. Support Our President.Some black folks are so ignorant when it comes to supporting their own. The man has worked miracle and has made history. Please.

I enjoy your belongings because they always prove to be a good use of my time. I appreciate that you get and use the opportunity to say what most of us think but aren’t always at liberty to say. Especially someone w/ a platform such as yours. Best wishes moving forward. I eagerly look forward to your new show and the contribution it brings to television.

I encourage everybody to vote but do not just vote for somebody who is the same race as you, vote for them if they have the same views as you, they have a great voting record, etc. As A young African American male it frustrates me when people just vote for someone because of the color of the candidates skin. Although I am a Republican and more then likely will be voting for Mitt Romney I encourage everybody to be informed of the issues .

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